Half of French People Now Use Generative AI

Generative AI has officially gone mainstream in France. What began as a futuristic curiosity just a few years ago has now become a part of everyday digital life. According to the Baromètre du Numérique 2026, nearly one in two French people (48%) used a generative AI tool in 2025 — a remarkable leap from just 20% in 2023.

In less than two years, AI adoption has risen faster than that of the smartphone or even the internet during their early years.

A Rapid Digital Revolution

The study — conducted by Crédoc, in collaboration with Arcep, Arcom, and France’s digital agencies — highlights how AI tools such as ChatGPT are transforming habits across generations, education levels, and professions.

Compared with the internet, which took five years to grow from a 23% to 55% adoption rate, and smartphones, which needed three years to move from 17% to 46%, the AI boom has been lightning-fast.

Key facts:

48% of French people used generative AI in 2025 (+28 points in two years)
Internet took 5 years to reach similar growth
Smartphones needed 3 years

The numbers speak for themselves — AI is not just “the next big thing”; it’s already embedded in daily digital routines.

A Clear Generational Divide

Unsurprisingly, young people are leading the charge. The study reveals a striking generation gap in AI usage:

18–24 years: 85% use AI tools regularly
60–69 years: 33%
70+ years: only 15%

That’s a 70-point gap between the youngest and oldest adults — an even wider divide than two years ago.

Among the younger generation, AI is now a natural extension of studying and creativity. Around 73% of 18–24-year-olds use AI for help with homework or writing assignments. Older generations, meanwhile, remain cautious, often citing lack of trust or confusion about the technology.

Professionals and Educated Users Are Ahead

It’s not just age that determines who uses AI — education and profession matter too.

76% of managers and professionals use generative AI.
65% of higher-education graduates employ it for research, productivity, or creative inspiration.

Most common uses include:

Searching for information
Drafting or summarising content
Brainstorming new ideas
Translating or rewriting texts

In short, AI has become the new “digital assistant” for knowledge workers across France.

ChatGPT Still Rules the Game

When it comes to which tools the French prefer, ChatGPT remains the undisputed leader.

63% use ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
13% use Gemini (Google)
6% use Mistral AI, the French alternative

Mistral’s growing presence shows a local appetite for French-language, European-based AI options — a trend likely to expand in 2026.

Growing Use, Lingering Doubts

Despite mass adoption, skepticism remains strong. Over half of the French population (52%) say they’re still wary of AI tools.

Their main concerns include:

Trustworthiness of responses
Privacy and data use
Fear of job automation or misinformation

Interestingly, users themselves are cautious: 64% say they regularly fact-check AI-generated content. It’s a healthy sign of growing digital literacy and realism about the limits of automated tools.

What’s Next for AI in France?

As France gears up for an even more connected 2026, experts predict continued growth in AI integration — especially in education, media, and public services. With strong local innovation (like Mistral AI) and a curious yet cautious population, France is becoming one of Europe’s most dynamic AI hubs.

Generative AI might not replace human creativity, but it’s clearly reshaping how the French think, learn, and work every day.